042
Seeing his expression, Qin Sang feared he had discovered something and was holding back. After a moment's thought, she compromised, "Alright, nothing can be hidden from you. Yesterday, that woman wasn't selling goods on the street to save money for her brother's tuition. Her nephew, who attends that academy, disappeared without a trace. The investigation revealed that about ten other children had also disappeared with him, but all their cases have been unsolved over the years... Yesterday, I personally witnessed several fast horses run over and kill her brother and sister-in-law at the street corner, Uncle Qin," she said sincerely, "there's something wrong with this academy."
"So, Miss, you want to intervene?" Qin Baoyun's gaze darkened slightly, her jaw tightened. "But we are only passing through here. We will set off again for the capital tomorrow morning. If we delay our journey, the Prime Minister will be worried, and Guard Shen and the others will not agree."
Qin Sang glanced out the window and saw that the rain had stopped, and the banyan trees looked exceptionally green and fresh. She said, "Perhaps we can find out more about the situation, Uncle Qin. Have you found anything else?"
Qin Baoyun eventually told the whole story.
“The academy does have problems, but it’s a mixed bag, and it might involve high-ranking officials in the court. Forgive me for speaking frankly, but we can’t do anything about it.”
"A high-ranking official in the imperial court?" Qin Sang raised her voice slightly. "How high a rank?"
Qin Baoyun: "According to my two friends who live in seclusion here, the person behind Lutong Academy is at least a third-rank official and his affairs involve the capital."
Qin Sang smiled and said, "That's interesting. Since we still have half a day left, why don't we go out for a walk? The academy is very close to here, so let's go take a look."
Upon hearing this, Lingding quickly took her coat, and Qin Baoyun tried to persuade her, "Miss..."
Qin Sang said gently, "I'm not going to do anything, just take a look. Don't worry, Uncle Qin."
Qin Baoyun had no choice but to give way to her and followed closely behind.
As the group left the inn, the guards under Chen Que's command at the door also inquired, "Where are you going, young lady?"
Qin Sang: "The rain has stopped. I'd like to go out for a stroll. Do I need to ask Guard Shen for permission?" Qin Sang appeared gentle and reasonable.
The guard said to wait a moment and went to ask for instructions. However, he returned quickly and said that since Guard Qin was with him, there was nothing to worry about. However, the security in the small town was not very good, and he hoped that Miss would finish her sightseeing soon and come back to pack her things, as she would be leaving early the next morning.
Qin Sang readily agreed, and the group went out together.
It took an hour to walk from the local vendors selling local specialties to Lutong Academy.
Nalutong Academy is located in a prime location in the city, with a wide street in front of it and shady trees lining the road. In front of the imposing and wide black gate stands a huge sycamore tree with lush branches and leaves that almost cover the entire square in front of the academy.
Beneath the tree trunk stands a giant rock, upon which are inscribed several large characters in a bold, flowing style—
Lu Tong Academy.
His handwriting is slender and powerful, demonstrating considerable calligraphic skill.
Qin Sang knew, of course, that there was nothing she could do at the moment, and she didn't want to drag the whole team into it and cause trouble for them. However, after listening to the young woman's words and Qin Baoyun's words, she couldn't help but become very interested in the academy. Even if she didn't want to cause trouble, she wanted to come and see it.
They stood opposite, gazing at the academy's gate. The black lacquered gate, studded with gold nails, was tightly shut, yet the sound of students reciting their lessons could be heard emanating from within. The sound of reading aloud seemed sacred, and ordinary people who were unaware of its significance would surely feel a sense of longing.
But who would have thought that behind this elegant and solemn gate, there would be some shady dealings and man-eating demons?
"The door is closed, young lady. Should I knock?" Lingding asked.
Qin Sang remained silent for a moment. But at that moment, the black door suddenly opened from the inside.
From among them emerged a tall, upright middle-aged man and an old servant with a slightly hunched back.
It's true that timing is everything. Qin Sang immediately stepped forward, smiling radiantly and gracefully, and called out to the man, "Please wait a moment, sir."
***
The middle-aged man and the old servant stood side by side, turning to look at Qin Sang and the others.
Qin Sang stood in front of the other person and bowed respectfully: "May I ask, sir, are you the headmaster of Lu Tong Academy?"
The middle-aged man had a long face, a dignified expression, and rarely smiled, as if he were preoccupied with something and someone had upset him.
He frowned slightly and said indifferently, "Yes, that is me. What brings you here, young lady?"
Qin Sang smiled even more gently: "I have always heard of the great reputation of Lu Tong Academy. Today, I am fortunate to meet the headmaster while passing by. To be honest, I have two younger brothers who are of school age. I have heard that your academy has a rigorous teaching style and produces many outstanding talents. My elders are considering sending my two younger brothers to study here, so that they can bring honor to our family in the future."
The headmaster calmly looked Qin Sang up and down, his expression softening slightly. "I am not in charge of the academy's admissions, Uncle Qin," he said, turning to instruct the old servant, "go tell the gatekeeper to allow this young lady to enter after class and have Steward Zhao speak with her in detail."
The old servant said "Yes" and turned to go back to the academy.
Qin Sang smiled amiably, feigning ignorance: "Thank you so much, Dean!"
The headmaster nodded, and the old servant quickly came out, saying that he had already given instructions to Qin Sang and the others to wait a moment until the academy dismissed, and then go to the gatekeeper to pass through.
Qin Sang bowed again to express her gratitude and watched the master and servant leave.
After the person left, Qin Sang slightly suppressed her smile and stared at their retreating figure, sighing, "This dean is really young. He also seems quite composed. No wonder he was able to receive the old headmaster's guidance."
Lingding replied, "The hearts of people in this world are unpredictable. Who can know what kind of monsters are hiding under someone's skin? No one can see things accurately."
Qin Sang glanced at her indifferently and smiled slightly: "That's true."
Lingding blushed slightly and immediately lowered her eyes, remaining silent.
Although Qin Baoyun was worried, he knew Qin Sang's temper. They had already arrived at the door, and there was no way he would turn back. So he held the knife in his hand and stood guard for the two of them without making a sound.
Sure enough, not long after, the academy dismissed its classes. The group stepped aside and saw students in uniform academy attire filing out, whispering and laughing amongst themselves, their demeanor poised and youthful.
Qin Sang smiled and watched as almost everyone left before leading her people toward the academy gate.
Having received instructions, and seeing that Qin Sang and the others were well-dressed and quite hospitable, the old gatekeeper led them through the main gate. Sure enough, Manager Zhao quickly came to greet them and led Qin Sang and the others on a tour of each classroom from left to right.
Qin Sang wasn't very interested in the music room or the painting room, but she took the opportunity to ask about other things, such as: "I just saw your dean at the door. He seemed like a steady, generous, and kind-hearted person. Students are truly blessed to be able to do their studies under the guidance of such a dean."
Manager Zhao was about forty or fifty years old, with gray hair and a face full of wrinkles. He smiled faintly and nodded in agreement, but did not say anything more, not even to appease Qin Sang's praise.
Seeing his reaction, Qin Sang asked, "Manager Zhao, you've been working at this Lu Tong Academy for quite some time now, haven't you?"
Manager Zhao was a composed man, and he said respectfully, "I've been here since this academy opened, for more than ten years! I was appointed by the old headmaster back then..." He hesitated and didn't finish his sentence.
Qin Sang sighed, "Yes, I heard that the old abbot was kind and generous, and had a keen eye for talent. Regardless of his background, he had trained many outstanding students. It's a pity that he died young..." Then he smiled and said, "However, I heard that the new abbot is the old abbot's outstanding student. I suppose the two of them must have the same temperament. Otherwise, Lu Tong Academy would not have such a prosperous scene with students all over the world today."
Manager Zhao chuckled awkwardly, but said, "That's not entirely true. No matter how similar people are, there are always differences. Even master and disciple are not entirely the same in how they conduct themselves..."
Before they could finish speaking, someone suddenly walked out of a classroom, startling them all.
Not only because of the man's sudden appearance, but also because of the long, caterpillar-like scar on his face running from his left eyebrow to his right ear. It looked as if his face had been split in two, truly terrifying.
The man glanced at Qin Sang and the others with a sinister look in his eyes, and asked in a cold voice, "What are you doing?"
Manager Zhao's face turned pale, and after a pause, he said, "It was the headmaster who ordered us to take people to visit the academy."
The scarred-faced man said coldly, "Our academy doesn't admit female students. What's the point of bringing them in?"
Qin Sang smiled politely and said, "I have two younger brothers who are of school age. I heard that Lu Tong Academy has produced many talented people, so I wanted to invite my two brothers to study here as well. I just happened to be passing by today, so I asked the headmaster to let me come in for a visit. Please forgive me if I have disturbed you."
Scarface looked at Qin Sang for a moment, then his gaze met that of Qin Baoyun, who was standing to the side. After a moment, he turned and went back with a cold expression.
Manager Zhao led the group on a tour, no longer continuing the previous topic.
Upon arriving at the inner courtyard, the guide explained, "These inner rooms contain six classrooms, where scholars practiced their writings and managed affairs. Those gentlemen who passed the imperial examinations and were appointed to official positions did so from here."
Qin Sang noticed a stone tablet in the middle of the courtyard, on which were engraved the names of the successful students of Lutong Academy over the years.
She silently memorized these names and said, "There are indeed quite a few. One of them even stayed in the capital to serve as an official and rose to the position of Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. He's truly impressive."
Manager Zhao simply smiled and didn't seize the opportunity to comment. Those unaware of the inside story would probably assume that the managers of the academy were already worldly-wise and unfazed by such matters.
Qin Sang could tell that Manager Zhao didn't approve of Zhang's handling of things. If they were to establish this place in the future, this man might be a good entry point.
As they left the academy, it was getting dark, and most of the students had gone home. Qin Sang and the other two headed towards the inn.
But as they passed through a small alley, they heard cries and pleas for mercy coming from inside.
The group stopped and looked into the alley. They saw several young men dressed in the uniforms of Lu Tong Academy gathered together, seemingly bullying someone.
After pausing for a moment, they heard a dull thud of a head hitting the wall, followed by a burst of laughter—
"Hahaha, smash him! Smash him until he's an idiot! That poor, penniless guy, still wants to take the imperial examinations and steal my position!"
"Let's not do it. If we really smash his brains, his shrewish wife will definitely go to court every day to complain, which will be a huge hassle!"
"Go ahead and sue! Do you think I'm afraid of that old hag?! Then break his right hand so he can't hold a pen anymore!"
Qin Sang: "..."
Before she could speak, Qin Baoyun had already walked in with the knife in her arms.
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